UNGA (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The External Affairs Minister of India recently emphasized India's aspiration for a broader global role, asserting that its emergence on the international stage will distinguish itself from previous nations, and its pursuit of becoming a "leading power" is not rooted in self-aggrandizement but driven by a commitment to assume greater responsibilities.

UN General Assembly 

• Establishment: In 1945 under the United Nations (UN) Charter
• Member Countries: All 193 members
• UNGA President: The UNGA is headed by its President, who is elected for a term of one year.
• Composition: The United Nations General Assembly comprises all 193 Members of the United Nations.
• Mandate: It provides a unique forum for multilateral discussion of the full spectrum of international issues covered by the Charter. 

Achievements and Impact of UNGA

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights: The UNGA adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, establishing fundamental principles for the protection of human rights worldwide.
• Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): The UNGA had a central role in shaping the MDGs, which constituted eight global objectives focused on eliminating poverty, and advancing education.
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Expanding on the MDGs, the UNGA embraced the SDGs in 2015, laying out an extensive plan for achieving sustainable development by 2030.